Colorectal Cancer Prevention

Colorectal cancer is the second leading cancer killer in the nation. The centers for disease control also shows about 75-percent of it happens in people with absolutely *no* known risk factors. Tonight we introduce you to a clay county man who had *several* risk factors before getting his first colonoscopy...and now we follow him to a surgery that doctors say is vital to his life.

Lynn sears is 46 and suddenly reminded of his father's death more than 30 years ago.

"I've been passing some blood for maybe 3-4 months," says Colon Cancer Patient Lynn Sears. "And I also realize my father died from colon cancer at age 53 which was in the early 70's."After failing to blame the bleeding on previous surgeries, Lynn finally faced his fears of following in his father's footsteps and had a colonoscopy.

Doctor Ajayi says Lynn waited so long to be screened, like many others do in the region...that his polyp had advanced into a tumor...forcing them to use one of manchester memorial's newer treatment options.Now, just *two days* after being diagnosed with cancer...he's having laproscopic colectomy surgery.

After putting lynn to sleep...dr. Ajayi and his surgical team use a camera and surgical tools to work through his bowels in search of the cancer...and any possible spreading.

Dr. Ajayi says the previous colonoscopy identified the section they need to remove...and after two hours of surgery...lynn should be cancer free.He says with this treatment, there will be a smaller scar and a faster recovery compared to the older open technique...but both he and lynn agree avoiding surgery altogether is best.

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